Introduction

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a general term for conditions affecting the heart or blood vessels.

It's usually associated with a build-up of fatty deposits inside the arteries known as Atherosclerosis and an increased risk of blood clots . It can also be associated with damage to arteries in organs such as the brain, heart, kidneys and eyes.

CVD is one of the main causes of death anddisabilityin the UK, but it can often largely beprevented with a healthy lifestyle.